Did you know that over 3.5 billion trees get cut in rainforests each year at the minimum?
You might think that a dead tree is easy to spot. But the truth is that most untrained eyes will find it hard to spot dying trees. This can make it difficult for you to determine whether it’s safe to remove and avoid the consequences later.
Don’t feel discouraged yet.
With this guide, you’ll learn how to know if a tree is dead or dying. That way, all your tree remover company has to do is to get rid of it once called. Read on and find out more:
1. Leaves
The most noticeable part of a dead or dying tree is the leaves. Some trees take a while to lose their leaves, but if it has no leaves by August, it likely suffers from a major problem. When this happens, think about calling a tree removal company to inspect it.
The minimum temperature across the United States is 41F, and the cold can make it harder to determine a tree’s health. During winter, most trees have no leaves. That’s why it’s better to check for tree buds instead.
It might be difficult to spot tree buds, but they’re like small dots found along the ends of the tree’s branches. They’re similar to a connect-the-dots puzzle. If the tree has nothing along the branches’ ends, it’s often a surefire sign of a dead tree.
Evergreen trees function differently since they stay green throughout the year, cycling their leaves out. It’s a common occurrence for the canopy interior to shade out. It means the needles closest to the trunk are likelier to fall off compared to needles located in other parts of the plant.
The tree is dying when the opposite happens, meaning when the needles and other foliage turn brown and fall off at the branches’ ends first. Regardless, a general rule for any tree is that if it has brown leaves or needles during the summer, something bad is happening.
2. Branches
One of the signs of a dead or dying tree is when multiple branches look dead from the tips. If these branches comprise a large section or the entire tree’s canopy, the tree is suffering from stress. This is an indicator that the tree’s health is rapidly declining.
Take note, a single dead twig isn’t enough to dismiss the entirety of the tree as dead. The bigger trees will often have some dead branches as part of their cycle of life. But if you see trees with lots of large, dead branches, something is amiss.
A good way to determine whether the branch lives is to bend a small twig between your fingers. It’s alive if it bends without problems. Otherwise, brittle branches that easily break off are dead.
Scratch a small section of the tree’s bark and check its color. If it’s green, you’re guaranteed that the tree is alive. Take note, these tests work best when used on smaller, younger trees.
As said before, larger, older trees tend to have dead branches here and there. That’s why finding some of these twigs on a century-old oak tree isn’t a definitive sign.
3. Trunk
If the trunk of the tree has bark peeling off, you might be looking on its death throes. Some trees have this trait, so check first whether it’s normal for it to shed bark. Also, if you see large sections of rot around the trunk, removing the tree might be the best option, especially when it goes all the way.
A surprising fact is that trees with hollow trunks aren’t always dead. Trees can still thrive and become strong despite their hollow center. It’s similar to a steel pipe: it has a hollow center but it remains strong.
4. Roots
At the base of the tree, several indicators determine whether the tree is dying. For starters, if you find a large number of mushrooms growing in this area, the tree might not be in its best state. It means its roots suffered from significant rot and is on a downward path.
Another thing you should look for are roots sticking out of the ground. It’s normal for the tree’s roots to grow on the surface, so ignore those. Look for roots separating themselves from the ground since this means the tree isn’t as stable as it was before.
Regardless, if you see these symptoms, get in touch with tree removal businesses in your area. It’s important, especially if it’s likely for the tree to fall on your home. Don’t risk damage to your property.
5. Other Considerations
If you don’t know how to tell if a tree is dead, think about construction damage. Even minor construction projects can end up inflicting irreversible damage to a tree’s root system. This will cause it to destabilize or die.
Construction projects that drive heavy machinery over the roots and digging to connect high-speed internet cables damage tree roots. So, when you notice your tree’s appearance became worse after significant construction, consider assessing whether you can still save it.
Another thing to remember is that not all dead trees need removal. The only time you should remove it is if it poses a potential hazard. That means leaving the tree if it won’t cause harm to both people and property once it falls over.
The reason you’re sparing dead trees is because of its contributions to the ecosystem. Most critters like birds and bats use these as their home. If you remove it without thinking of its ecological value, you might end up upsetting the environment.
Check here for more information about tree experts for your Universal City trees.
You’ve Learned How to Know If a Tree is Dead!
These are considerations to learn how to know if a tree is dead. Use these traits to ensure that the tree you’re planning to remove is a potential hazard.
Is this guide helpful? If so, we encourage you to read our other posts and learn more valuable tips and tricks to improve your property.
